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Updated: May 18, 2025
Should I stay here like a sworn vassal of England, watching that her king's pride suffered no humiliation; or should I speed to the breach, and fight for the Cross? To the breach, assuredly; and next to the cause of God come the commands of my liege lady. And yet, Coeur de Lion's behest my own promise! Nectabanus, I conjure thee once more to say, are you to conduct me far from hence?"
"Good Nectabanus, bethink thyself," said the knight. "Can my lady know where and upon what duty I am this night engaged? Is she aware that my life pshaw, why should I speak of life but that my honour depends on my guarding this banner till daybreak; and can it be her wish that I should leave it even to pay homage to her?
It is impossible the princess is pleased to be merry with her servant in sending him such a message; and I must think so the rather that she hath chosen such a messenger." "Oh, keep your belief," said Nectabanus, turning round as if to leave the platform; "it is little to me whether you be traitor or true man to this royal lady so fare thee well."
But such a result not following, he demanded, in a sharp and angry tone of voice, "Soldier, wherefore renderest thou not to Nectabanus the homage due to his dignity? Or is it possible that thou canst have forgotten him?" "Great Nectabanus," answered the knight, willing to soothe the creature's humour, "that were difficult for any one who has ever looked upon thee.
"Call her call her, for Our Lady's sake," said the voice of one of these laughing invisibles. "Nectabanus, thou shalt be made ambassador to Prester John's court, to show them how wisely thou canst discharge thee of a mission."
"Come now, good Nectabanus," said the knight, "let us hasten to obey the commands thou hast brought." "Haste he that will," said the dwarf sullenly; "thou hast not been in haste to obey my summons, nor can I walk fast enough to follow your long strides you do not walk like a man, but bound like an ostrich in the desert."
In his foolish curiosity, or, as he partly confessed, with some thoughts of pilfering, Nectabanus had strayed into the tent of Conrade, which had been deserted by his attendants, some of whom had left the encampment to carry the news of his defeat to his brother, and others were availing themselves of the means which Saladin had supplied for revelling.
"I am the dwarf Nectabanus," said the abortion-seeming male, in a voice corresponding to his figure, and resembling the voice of the night-crow more than any sound which is heard by daylight. "And I am Guenevra, his lady and his love," replied the female, in tones which, being shriller, were yet wilder than those of her companion.
A young knight has been wiled hither has stolen, or has been stolen, from his post, which no one will disturb in his absence for the sake of a fair lady; for, to do your champion justice, sweet one, the wisdom of Nectabanus could conjure him hither in no name but yours."
The shrill tone of the dwarf was heard, yet so much subdued that Sir Kenneth could not understand what he said, except that he spoke something of the means of merriment given to the guard. "But how shall we rid us of the spirit which Nectabanus hath raised, my maidens?" "Hear me, royal madam," said another voice.
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